Feed for guns or the like



A. J. KORNBLUM ETAL June 19, 1951 FEED FOR GUNS OR THE LIKE 5Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May 1, 1944 INVENTORS ATTORNEY J1me 1951 A. J.KORNBLUM ETAL 2,557,441

FEED FOR GUNS OR THE LIKE Filed May 1, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTORSA/v/n J. hornd/ m.

A. J. KORNBLUM ETAL 2,557,441

June 19, 1951 FEED FOR GUNS OR THE LIKE 5 Sheets-Shee t 3 Filed May 1,1944 A/MM ATTORNEY A. -J. KORNBLUM ETAL June 19, 1951 FEED FOR GUNS ORTHE LIKE 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed May 1, 1944 J 1951 A. J. KORNBLUM ETAL2,557,441 FEED oR GUNS OR THE LIKE Filed May 1, 1944 5 Sheets-Sheet 5ATTORNEY Patented June 19, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFF-ICE FEED FORGUNS OR THE LIKE Alvin J. Kornblum, Arthur H. Kurilofi, and HerbertHarvey, Los Angeles, Calif., assignors to Harvey .Machine 00., Inc., LosAngeles, Calif., a corporation of California Application May 1, 1944,Serial No. 533,516

11 Claims. 1

This invention has to do with a feed for guns, or the like, and it is ageneral object of the present invention to provide a feed mechanism forhandling ammunition, or the like, so that it is delivered at a pointsuch as a gun, or at a feed chute for a gun, in such a manner as to keepthe gun adequately supplied.

Guns known as automatic or machine guns usually include an ammunitionfeed means which operates to feed the ammunition from a box or point ofsupply to the gun as it operates. Such feed means are commonly energizedby the action of the gun itself and, in practice, are often-inadequate.This is particularly true in the case of large guns where the ammunitionis heavy and it is also true where the ammunition has to be moved a longdistance or along a tortuous course. The last named conditions oftenprevail when guns are mounted in aircraft where space is limited andwhere other mechanisms-often create limiting factors.

It is a general object of our present invention to provide a feed forguns, or the like, which operates as the gun is operated to feedammunition so that the load or burden of such feed is taken from the gunwith the result that a greater ammunition supply is provided. By ourpresent invention we effectively relieve the gun of the load incident tofeeding the ammunition and, as a result, the speed of operation of thegun is materially increased. It is, of course, recognized that speed ofoperation is highly important in the case of automatic or machine gunsand it will be apparent that when the gun mechanism has imposed upon itthe load or drag incidental to feeding the ammunition its speed ismaterially impaired. By our present invention we feed the ammunition tothe gun by a power unit energized independently of the gun action sothat the gun is entirely free to operate at maximum speed free of thefeed of the ammunition.

Another object of our invention is to provide a mechanism of the generalcharacter hereinabove referred to which is applicable to standard gunsand gun equipment. The device of the present invention may be applied toa gun feed as an attachment or insert so that the usual units ofequipment operate in the usual manner, except that the burden of feedingthe ammunition is taken from the gun. 'In the preferred application ofthe present invention it is applied between the ammunition box and thegun proper and, in effect, serves as a means of connecting theammunition box to the gun. In most cases the usual ammunition chute willserve with the device of the invention in connecting the ammunition boxand gun.

Another object of our invention is to provide a mechanism of the generalcharacter referred to which is simple and dependable in construction andoperation, making it practical equipment for guns and particularly forguns used on aircraft and the like.

A further object of our invention is to provide a mechanism of thecharacter referred to which is light and compact. The mechanism of thepresent invention is applicableto a gun and ammunition chute withoutinterfering with other parts and without appreciably increasing the bulkof the installation. The structure of the present invention is such thatit can be made largely of light metal, or the like, so that it does notadd materially to the weight of the gun unit.

The various objects and features of our invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of typical preferredforms and applications of our invention, throughout which descriptionreference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of the exterior of the mechanism of ourinvention showing itv in operating position connecting an ammunitionchute and an automatic gun. Fig. 2 is a view taken in the generaldirection of Fig. 1 with parts broken away to show the generalarrangement and construction of the interior of the mechanism andshowing some ammunition in place to illustrate the manner in which it ishandled by the mechanism. Fig. 3 is a perspective view of the feedsprocket provided by the present invention showing it removed from theother parts of the mechanism and showing it viewed from substantiallythe same angle as it appears in Fig. 2. Fig. 4 is a diagrammatic viewillustrating the manner in which the mechanism of the present inventionis coordinated with the control system of the gun. Fig. 5 is a vie-w ofthe speed reduction mechanism included in the device. Fig. 6 is adetailed view showing the manner in which the switch of the feed unit isoperated. Fig. 7 is a longitudinal detailed sectional view of the feedsprocket and the parts contained therein. Fig. 8 is a perspective viewof a gun and ammunition box combination in which the booster or feed ofthe present invention is indicated at the box rather than at the gun.

The mechanism of the present invention, and particularly certainfeatures thereof, are applicable, generally, to feed devices and may beused in widely different applications. The particular form in which wehave embodied the invention is most suitable for the feeding ofammunition in connection with a machine gun, and therefore, we willdescribe the invention as though it were specifically concerned withsuch use, it being understood, however, that we do not wish to limitourselves by such reference. Further, the device of the invention may berelated to the gun and its ammunition supply box and feed chute invarious manners. It can be advantageously arranged between the chute andgun as shown in Fig. 1; however, it will be apparent that it will alsooperate at any point between the box and gun. In Fig. 8 we show themechanism located at the ammunition box.

The general arrangement or combination of parts to which the inventionis applicable involves a gun Ill, a control circuit II for the gun andan ammunition handling unit such as an ammunition box or feed chute I2for supplying ammunition to the gun II].

In the drawings we have shown a typical machine gun such as is used inaircraft and we have shown a simple typical control circuit such as isused in connection with such guns and we have shown but two typicalapplications of the invention, one to the ammunition box, the other tothe ammunition chute of the gun. It is to be understood that theelements shown and referred to may vary widely and that as variationsoccur our invention may be varied accordingly to accommodate them.

Referring to the form and application of the invention shown in Figs. 1and 2 of the drawings we have shown but a portion or fragment of a gun;being that portion to which the mechanism of our invention is applied.The structure of the present invention is applicable, generally to theside of the body of the gun that can be generally designated as the guncasing I3. This portion of the gun is provided with an opening i ithrough which the ammunition is fed into the gun mechanism proper. Inthe drawings we have shown the barrel I5 of the gun projecting forwardfrom the gun casing.

The mechanism of the present invention, which may be termed, generally,an automatic ammunition feed, involves, generally, a feed sprocket It, amotor I I for driving the sprocket, and arranged under control of acircuit I I, a drive between the motor and the sprocket which involves,generally, a clutch I8 and a speed reducing mechanism I9, a control forthe clutch involving an electromagnet 29, in a circuit under control ofa switch 2|, and means 22 for actuating the switch 2| by the ammunition,and a frame or housing 23 which carries the several elements hereinabovereferred to and serves as a mounting or means of attachment for themechanism as a whole.

The housing 23 is a frame-like structure preferably fabricated fromsheet metal to serve as a frame for carrying the various parts of themech anism. In the form under consideration the housing serves as aconnector between the ammunition chute I2 and the gun Ill.

The housing involves, generally, an outer wall 24 and an inner wall 25shaped and spaced rela-- tive to each other to, in effect, form acontinuation of the ammunition chute to conduct ammunition from thechute I2 to the gun Ill. The general arrangement and configuration ofthe inner and outer walls of the housing will be apparent from Fig. 2 ofthe drawings, from which it will be seen that in the case illustratedthese parts are formed so that they form a chute the receiving end ofwhich opens downwardly and receives ammunition delivered from thevertically disposed portion of the chute I2 shown Fig. l. The passage orchute formed by the walls 2 3 and 25 continues upwardly then curvesinwardly so that its outer or delivery end faces horizontally anddelivers .the ammunition into the opening I4 of the gun. I

The housing includes end walls which support the outer and inner walls24 and 25. There is a forward end wall 26 and a rear end wall 21 whichmay be substantially alike except as they vary to facilitate mounting onthe gun or to support particular parts of the mechanism as will behereinafter described. The end plates 26 and 2'! close the sides of thechute formed by the inner and outer walls. In the particular arrangementillustrated the several parts of the housing are formed separately andof sheet metal and are secured together in any convenient manner. In thecase illustrated the ends of the housing are provided with mountingbrackets 28 and 'a reliable mounting hook pin 23 by which the mechanismis secured to the side of the gun .casing I3.

The feed sprocket I6 is an important element of the mechanism and isarranged between the ends 26 and 2"I of the housing at the under side ofthe inner wall 25 of the housing, preferably at the point of curvatureof that wall. The feed sprocket is made accessible at the chute orpassage formed by the inner and outer walls of the housing, by providingan opening 38 in the inner wall of the housing wide enough to allow aportion of the sprocket to enter the ammunition passage and by providingsuitable notches 3! in the wall 25 to accommodate the teeth 32 of thesprocket. This general arrangement and relationship of parts will beapparent from an examination of Fig. 2 of the drawings.

The feed sprocket It has a tubular hub 33 which extends between endwalls of the housing and which is made large enough in diameter toaccommodate the motor I1 and the elements I8, I9 and 20, as will behereinafter described. The teeth 32 are provided on the exterior of thehub to engage and feed the ammunition. In practice the formation andarrangement of teeth on the hub will vary depending upon the characterof ammunition being handled. Where ordinary projectiles P are to be fedit is practical to provide two rows of teeth 32 on the hub 33. In thecase illustrated the two rows of teeth are located to engage theprojectiles at points where they are of different diameters and,therefore, the projectile receiving openings 35 between the teeth of thetwo rows of teeth vary in size, as will b seen in Fig. 2.

The invention provides mounting means for the sprocket at each endthereof, the mounting means serving to support the sprocket in thehousing between the ends thereof. In the particular constructionillustrated rings which form internal flanges 36 are provided in the hubat its ends and mounting plates 3'! and 38 are secured to the end plates26 and '21, respectively, of the housing. The plates 3! and 38 are fixedto the inner sides of the ends of the housing as by screws 39, or thelike. This construction is desirable as it makes it possible to readilydetach the sprocket with the end mounting plates 3'? and 38assembledtherewith when repair or replacement is necessary. The ends ofthe'sprocket hub are rotatably supported on the mounting plates throughbearings 40. The plate 31 has a boss llwhich supports the inner race ofa bearing while the outer race of that hearing fits into the flange 36at that end of the hub. The mounting plate 38 has a boss 42 whichsupports the inner race of a bearing til through an intermediate memberin the form of a flange 43 on the end of the motor case. The outer raceof the bearing 48 is carried in the flange 36 at the other end of thehub.

Through the construction just described the hub is effectively supportedon ball bearings lo cated at each end of the hub and the bearings arelarge in diameter and form a very efficient and effective support. It ispreferred, in practice, to seal the ends of the hub against the entranceof foreign matter. This may be accomplished. by providing packing ringsfi l between the mounting plates 31 and 38 and the flanges 35.

The motor II for driving the sprocket H5 is located entirely within thesprocket. In the construction that We have provided the motor involves amounting shell or case 45 which fits within the hub 33 of the sprocketwith suitable clearance and has an outer end plate at at one end and aninner end plate A? at the other end.

A field structure 48 is supported in the shell interture to be rotatablymounted in the outer end 1;;

plate 45 through a suitable bearing 55 while a spindle 52 projects fromthe other end of the armature through the inner end plate 1 and issupported in the end plate d? by a bearing 53. The spindle 52 is thedrive spindle of the motor. The armature 49 includes a commutator catedadjacent the end plate 46, and a suitable brush mechanism 55 is carriedby the motor case 45 to'cooperate with the commutator.

The end plate 46 which we have referred to as the outer end plate servesas the mounting or support for the end of the motor. The end plate iti's attached to the inner side of the mounting plate 38. The flange 43of the end plate is guided and supported on the boss 42 of the mountingplate and screws 56, or the like, are provided for securing the plates33 and 46 together.

The drive from the motor to the hub involves, generally, the clutch l8and the speed reducing mechanism I3; In accordance with our inventionthe clutch, which is normally disengaged, is located between the motorand the speed reducing mechanism, and the speed reducing mechanism issuch as to effect a very high speed red-uction with the result that themotor 17, which is necessarily small, can operate at a very high speedand yet drive the sprocket in the desired manner.

The clutch is preferably a simple plate-type clutch involving,generally, a drive plate 51 and a driven plate 58. In the arrangementillustrated the'drive plate 51 is fixed on the projecting end of thespindle 52 to be located beyond the end plate ll from the motor and tooperate with the armature of the motor. The driven plate 58 is arrangedopposite or to face the drive plate and is fixed on the drive shaft 59of the speed reducing mechanism IS. The plate 5% is mounted on the shaft59 against rotation rela tive thereto, but is freely shiftable axially.A spring 68 may, if desired, serve to normally yieldingly urge the plate58 away from the plate 5'3 so that the clutch is normally released ordisengaged.

The speed reducing mechanism it may botany suitable device operable togain the desired speed reduction between the motor armature and the feedsprocket. In the case illustrated we have shown a simple gear mechanismincluding a gear box 6! carrying the drive shaft 58 .and .a driven shaft62 and a train of gears 53 which serve to effect the \desired speedreduction between .the shaft 59 and the shaft $2.

The gear box 64 is carried by an extension .64 of the motor case and thedriven shaft 62 projects from the gear box at a point adjacent themounting plate .32. In practice any suitable drive may be providedbetween the shaft 62 and the sprocket. In the arrangement illustrated weshow a drive between these parts which effects a desired speedreduction. This drive involves a pinion 65 suitably mounted on the shaft52 to mesh with a ring gear .55 on the inner side of the flange 35 atthe mounting plate 31.

The control for the mechanism of the present invention involvesprimarily the .electromagnet for actuating the clutch ill, the switch2.! and the means 22.

The electromagnet 29 is located within the extension 541 of the motorcase and the inner end plate 4? of the motor case and is such as toestablish a field effective to draw the plate 53 into grippingengagement with the plate 51. The electromagnet is an annular structurefixed to the inner end d! of the motor case, as will be seen from Fig.'7 of the drawings. When electromagnetic means such as we have justdescribed is employed for operating the clutch it is desirable toprovide the plate 51 of the clutch with a nonmagnetic section l'llopposite the coil of the electromagnet so that the magnetic field willreach the plate 58 and not short circuit through plate 51.

The switch 2! for controlling the feed mechanism is connected in serieswith the electromagnet 25 in a circuit which may be controlled by thegun control switch S in the circuit 4 I. In the arrangement illustratedthe gun control circuit H involves a suitable source of electricalenergy E energizing lines 98 and SI. The gun firing solenoid G isconnected between the lines .91.) and 9| while the gun control switch Sis connected in series in one of the lines, as for in stance in the line9!).

The motor ll of our feed mechanism is preferably connected in the guncontrol circuit so that it is connected across the lines 9% and Si inparallel with the solenoid G, so that it is put in operation when thegun is put in operation by operation of the control switch S. Theelectromagnet 20 and the switch 25 are preferably connected in the samecircuit beyond the solenoid G and feed motor ll. The electromagnet andswitch 2! are preferably connected in series in the circuit as shown inthe diagram, Fig. 4, and are connected in extensions 99 and of the lines92'! and ill so that they are not energized when the switch S is closedbut the magnet is operated only when the switch 2i is closed at a timewhen the switch S also is closed. In the preferred form of the inventionthe switch 2! is a micro-switch or any suitable quick acting delicateswitch, and it may be mounted on the end plate 2! of the housing 23.

erable to move and actuate the switch 2! when ammunition is crowdedbetween the feed sprocket 7 and the gun. In the form of the inventionillustrated the outer wall 24 of the housing has a part removed at apoint where the ammunition starts to leave the sprocket to enter the gunand the opening thus formed is closed by two hinged sections Hill andllil.

The sections Hi and H)! are carried on pivot pins I02 at the edges ofthe opening in the wall 24 and project toward each other to close theopening formed in the wall 24. Where the sections I00 and I0! meet theyhave inter-engaged or overlapped parts IE5 which serve to maintain acontinuous chute wall in the housing for the ammunition to work on asthe sections I06 and I0] are pressed outwardly by ammunition beingcrowded by the feed sprocket. A rod lilii is carried by the overlappingends of sections Hill and WI and has a projecting end which passeesthrough a slot If"! in end 2'! to operate a lever Illl! which in turnmoves the control part lfifl of switch 2| (see Fig. 6).

One or more springs I06 connect with rod Hlil and normally yieldinglyurge the sections I08 and IIJI inwardly to maintain them in a positionwhere they define the upper wall of the normal ammunition chute throughthe housing.

In operation, as the feed sprocket supplies ammunition faster than thegun can handle it, the ammunition piles up or tends to lift away fromthe sprocket engaging the sections mi) and Edi moving them upwardly.When the sections are thus moved upwardly the actuating rod Nit moves uprelative to lever ilifl so the lever moves in and the control part liltof the switch 2! moves causing the switch to open with the result thatthe electromagnet is de-energized and the drive of the sprocketreleased.

From the foregoing description it is believed that the operation of theentire mechanism will be fully understood. The housing 23 provided bythe present invention is mounted on the side of the gun casing 13 of thegun and the ammunition chute I2 is attached to the housing 23 by asuitable fastening device or catch He. The

ammunition passes upwardly through the chute l2 and into the housing 23where it enters the passage defined by the walls 24 and 25.

The individual projectiles P are engaged by the sprocket teeth andcarried around or through the housing to be delivered into the openingI4 I:

of the gun and if the sprocket feeds the ammunition faster than the gunhandles it, that is if there is overfeed of ammunition, then theammunition is crowded by the sprocket so that it moves the sections H30and lfil upwardly actuating the switch 2 l In the preferred controlcircuit the switch 2! is normally closed and the gun firing or guncontrol switch S is normally open. When the operator closes the switch Sthe gun firing solenoid G is energized causing the gun to startoperation. The feed motor H is likewise energized causing the armaturethereof to be rotated. The switch 2! of the feed control being closedthe electromagnet 2B is energized and the clutch I3 is closed with theresult that the feed sprocket operates feeding the ammunition to thegun.

It will be understood, of course, that the individual projectiles Pbeing clipped together by suitable fastening means are drawn up from thechute i2 by the feed sprocket and since the ammunition is confined inthe housing it is effectively fed into the gun. The mechanism isproportioned and designed so that the feed sprocket will normally tendto feed the ammunition to the gun at a rate equal to or slightly fasterthan the gun can handle it. As a result of this circumstance theammunition will be crowded between the feed sprocket and the gun withtheresult that it will move the sections I00 and IUI of the housingupwardly, thus causing the switch 2i to be opened. When the switch 2|opens the electromagnet 2D is de-energized and the clutch it! allowed toopen. The instant that the-overfeed is corrected by the reception ofammunition into the gun the sections tilt and lill are allowed to bemoved in by springs we so that the switch 2i is closed and theelectromagnet 20 energized and the clutch it? closed so that the feedmechanism again moves into operation feeding ammunition to the gun.

A feature of the construction that we have provided is that the armatureof the motor is completely disconnected from the clutch when the driveis disengaged so that the mechanism stops immediately.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 8 the mechanism of thepresent invention is related to a typical machine gun, ammunition boxtherefor, and feed chute connecting the box and gun so that the feedsprocket of the present invention is located at the box while the means22 for actuating the control switch 2| is located at the gun, or atleast at the point of connection between the chute and the gun. In thisform of the invention we have separated the feed sprocket se and theswitch Zi and its actuating means 2%, so that the feed sprocket is atthe ammunition box and serves to push ammunition through the ammunitionchute 12 The drive for the sprocket l6 may be the same as thathereinabove described, that is, the sprocket may be equipped with amotor, clutch reduction gear,

etc. such as we have shown in Fig. 7.

The ammunition box I can be of any suitable construction and can belocated at any suitable point. The feed chute l2=- can be of anysuitable construction and can be disposed to suitably handle ammunitionbetween the box and the gun. As indicated in Fig. 8 the feed sprocket I6is located at or in the box I56 so that it serves to push ammunitioninto and feed it through the chute H 7 The switch 2! which controls theclutch that drives the feed sprocket [B is located adjacent the gun andthe operating means 22 for the switch is at the gun so that whenammunition overfeeds at the gun the switch is opened and the feedsprocket ceases operation. In this form of the invention the means 22*for operating the switch Zi may include a box-like structure I60 whichserves as a continuation of the ammunition chute and which has pivotedsections [00 and it] corresponding to the pivoted sections we and Hi!above described. The switch 2 I may be mounted on the box 16!] so thatwhen the sections we and [ill are pushed out by overfeed of ammunitionthe switch is actuated.

We have disclosed this particular embodiment of the invention primarilyto make it clear that the invention is capable of considerablemodification and that it can be adapted to various situations, ascircumstances require.

It will be apparent from the foregoing description that we have providedan ammunition feed for machine guns which will serve to feed ammunitionto the gun as fast as the gun can handle it, and yet does not requiredelicate synchronism between the feed mechanism and the gun. Byproviding the control means 22 the switch 2| and the electromagnet forcontrolling the clutch we provide a safety mechanism which enables thegun to be fully fed without being overfed and which acts to immediatelygo into operation and eiiectivelyfeed the gun the instant that the guncan handle the feed supplied by the mechanism.

Having described only typical preferred forms and applications ofonrinvention, we do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to ourselves anyvariations or modifications that may appear to those skilled in the artor fall within the scope of the following claims.

Having described our invention, we claim:

1. In combination, an automatic gun, a control for the gun, anammunition feed for the gun, power means continuously operating with thegun to drive the feed, a magnetic clutch control connecting the powermeans and the feed normally engaged so that the feed goes into operationsimultaneously with the gun, and a cut-out for disengaging the clutchindependently of the operation of the power means actuated by overfeedof ammunition.

2. In combination, an automatic gun, a control for the gun, anammunition feed for the gun including a motor and a feed sprocket formoving ammunition, a control connecting the control of the gun and themotor, a normally engaged magnetic clutch driving the feed sprocket sothe feed sprocket goes into operation simultaneously with the gun, and acontrol for the clutch independent of the motor actuated by overfeed ofammunition including a shiftable element operated by ammunition crowdedby the sprocket.

3. In combination, a gun, a feed chute, and a device to receiveammunition from the chute and deliver it to the gun including, a housinghaving spaced walls forming a passage which is a continuation of thechute, each wall having an opening, a feed sprocket entered into thepassage through the opening in one wall, a hinged member closing theopening in the other wall and adapted to be swung out by ammunitioncrowded against it by the action of the sprocket, a continuouslyoperating motor, a releasable drive between the motor and the sprocket,and a control switch for releasing said drive operated by the hingedmemher.

4. In combination, an ammunition feed chute, a housing having spacedwalls forming a passage which is a continuation of the chute, one wallhaving an opening, a feed sprocket projecting into the passage, a pairof overlapping hinged members closing the said opening and adapted to beswung out by ammunition crowded against it by the action of thesprocket, a continuously operating electric motor, a releasable drivebetween the motor and the sprocket, and a control switch for said driveoperated by the hinged members.

5. In combination, an ammunition feed chute, a housing having spacedwalls forming a curved passage which is a continuation of the chute,each wall having an opening, a feed sprocket at the inner side of thecurved passage and entered into the passage through the opening in onewall, a hinged member closing the opening in the other wall and adaptedto be swung out by ammunition crowded against it by the action of thesprocket, a continuously operating drive motor, a releasable drivebetween the motor and the sprocket, and a control means for said driveoperated by the hinged member.

6. In combination, an ammunition feed chute, a housing having spacedwalls forming a passage the passage through the opening in one wall, a

hinged member closing the opening in the other wall and adapted to beswung out by ammunitioncrowded against it by the action of the sprocket,a continuously operating drive motor, a releasable drive between themotor and the sprocket, and a control switch for said drive operated bythe hinged member, the motor being located within the sprocket.

7. In combination, an ammunition feed chute, a housing having spacedwalls forming a passage which is a continuation of the chute, each wallhaving an opening, a feed sprocket entered into the passage through theopening iii one wall, a hinged member closing the opening in the otherwall and adapted to be swung out by ammunition crowded against it bytheaction of the sprocket, a continuously operating drive motor, areleasable drive between the motor and the sprocket, and a controlswitch for said drive operated by the hinged member, the motor and thereleasable drive being located within the sprocket.

8. In combination, an ammunition feed chute, a housing having spacedwalls forming a passage which is a continuation of the chute, each wallhaving an opening, a feed sprocket entered into the passage through theopening in one wall, a hinged member closing the opening in the otherwall and adapted to be swung out by ammunition crowded against it by theaction of the sprocket, a continuously operating drive motor, areleasable drive between the motor and the sprocket, and a controlswitch for said drive operated by the hinged member, the motor andreleasable drive being located within the sprocket, the releasable driveincluding a clutch and a speed reducing mechanism.

9. In combination, an ammunition feed chute, a housing having spacedwalls forming a passage which is a continuation of the chute, each wallhaving an opening, a feed sprocket entered into the passage through theopening in one wall, a hinged member closing the opening in the otherwall and adapted to be swung out by ammunition crowded against it by theaction of the sprocket, a continuously operating drive motor, areleasable drive from the motor to the sprocket, and a control switchfor said drive operated by the hinged member, the motor and releasabledrive being located within the sprocket, the releasable drive includinga magnetic clutch and a speed reducing mechanism.

10. In combination, an ammunition feed chute, a housing having spacedwalls forming a passage which is a continuation of the chute, each wallhaving an opening, a feed sprocket entered into the passage through theopening in one wall, a hinged member closing the opening in the otherwall and adapted to be swung out by ammunition crowded against it by theaction of the sprocket, a continuously operating drive motor, a magneticclutch drive between the motor and the sprocket, and a control switchfor said drive operated by the hinged member, the motor and the drivebeing located within the sprocket.

11. In combination, a gun, firing means for the gun, an ammunition feedmechanism including a sprocket and a driving motor for the sprocketlocated entirely within the sprocket, said mechanism being constructedand arranged to normally feed ammunition to the gun upon energization ofsaid motor, and a control connecting the said firing means and saidmotor whereby REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record inthe file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 866,820 Smith Sept. 24, 19071,078,719 Cleveland Nov. 13, 1913 Number Number 12 I Name Date JonesAug. 19, 1919 Seufer et a1 Nov. 9, 1920 Lieberherr et al. Dec. 12, 1922Mellon Mar. 5, 1935 Nordquist Jan. 13, 1942 Trotter et al Sept. 14, 1943Trotter et al Feb. 15, 1944 North Dec. 5, 1944 Chapman et a1 July 2,1946 FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date France June 17, 1930 Great BritainJune 9, 1938 Great Britain Sept. 26, 1941 Great Britain June 29, 1943

